26/08/2020
[STRONG ‘CALVES’ CAN BE PROTECTIVE AGAINST ACHILLES TENDINOPATHY] 👣⠀
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Here's a great post from and 🏥 ⠀
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Achilles tendinopathy account for approx. 10% of all running injuries. Masters (>40yrs) runners tend to experience a greater incidence of achilles tendinopathy 🧐 🏃♂️🏃♀️⠀
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👉🏻The good news is high plantarflexor (‘below the knee’: primarily gastrocnemius + soleus) capacity/function seem to be protective against achilles tendinopathy ⬆💪🏻⠀
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👉🏻W***y & Paquette* in their review of masters runners stated ‘runners with greater eccentric plantarflexor strength & greater propulsive forces during running have a reduced risk of developing achilles tendinopathy’ 👀⠀
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👉🏻The good news is that plantarflexor strength/capacity can be readily increased through strength & conditioning 👏🏻⠀
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👉🏻While heavy slow resistance work (eg in a gym) may be the most effective and beneficial way in which to improve plantarflexor strength, if you do not have access to a gym start with some single leg dumbbell calf raises (bent leg and straight leg) and build the load with increasing dumbbell size (a good target for example is to work towards 3-4sets of 5-8 reps with as heavy of load as you can execute a controlled raise with) 🏋️♂️⠀
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📌TAKE HOME: BELOW THE KNEE IS THE KEY! Be sure to build ‘calf’ (plantarflexor) strength exercises into your week in order to reduce risk of developing achilles tendinopathy (particularly if you are a masters runner > 40yrs) ✅⠀
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‼Did you find this information useful? Our team of experts analyse and summarise the latest and most clinically relevant research for you.
Learn more here ➡️ https://www.physio-network.com/research-reviews/
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🖥*Ref: R. W***y, Paquette, M. (2019). The physiology and biomechanics of the masters runner. J Sports Med Arthrosc Rev 2019, 27: 15-21⠀